Public transportation: One Year On, Borno’s Zulum Bus Plagued by Phone Theft Epidemic
By Hauwa Samuel Bah
In September 2023, the Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, made a significant investment in the state’s public transportation system by unveiling a fleet of 70 buses for metro transport.
Speaking during the inauguration of the initiative, the governor disclosed that the initiative was aimed at easing the movement of civil servants to their places of work and providing reliable transportation options for all residents of the state.
According to him, the move was part of his administration’s scheme to alleviate commuting struggles due to the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
The 70 buses comprise standard-sized buses and larger buses to accommodate a greater number of passengers, while the 107 vehicles were converted to electric and gas to enhance the use of low-cost energy sources for affordability.
The introduction of the buses marks the beginning of a new era in public transportation in the state as it charges N50 against the N200 charged by tricycles (Keke Napep) and other commercial transport systems per drop.
However, while convenience from the positive development lasts for the residents, here comes a discomfort. Passengers of ‘Ya zingile’ (Long Bus’), as it is usually called, now battle with rising phone theft daily.
Anas Zakare, a student from the University of Maiduguri, explained in an interview that despite its capacity, passengers, both young and old, push each other in order to board the buses at bus stops.
According to him, some people believe that if they don’t rush in, they won’t get a seat, while some are in a haste and can’t wait for another bus.
Passengers face increased risk of phone theft, particularly during peak hours and when buses are crowded because the number of people is more than the bus’s capacity, depending on the number of buses available at the time.
In such situations the bus is overloaded with passengers, and it becomes impossible for them to seat comfortably. Their seating posture is just like how sardines are packaged in a container.
Maimuna Kabiru, a businesswoman, recounts her experience, which was a disturbing incident where a fellow passenger’s phone, worth N300,000, was stolen amidst the rush to board, and there were no search measures by authorities or conductors to help retrieve the phone.
She started by saying, “Last week, I decided to go to Tashan Bama from the post office through the ‘zulum bus.’ It was in the evening, and it was taking a while for the buses to come to our bus stop, so a lot of people were already waiting.
As soon as the bus stopped by, passengers started rushing and pushing just to get in. I decided to remove my phone from my bag, and I held it firmly because I reasoned that someone might just slide his or her hand inside my bag with me not knowing.
When I got inside the bus, a man wearing a jallabia also came inside, and immediately he sat down. He reached for his phone inside his pocket, but it was gone. He tried searching the people he knew were beside him throughout the struggle to get in, but to no avail. His phone, worth N300,000, was stolen within a short period of time”.
Unfortunately, the man is a student, and he laments bitterly that all his documents and other PDF handouts are inside the phone, and the exams were starting on November 18th, 2024. Adding that he just went to the post office to buy a new charger and some foodstuffs because his initial charger was too slow and he decided to get a fast charger.
Sani Buba who is a conductor on one of the buses, emphasised the importance of passenger vigilance, stating that he regularly warns passengers to secure their phones.
However, he noted that passengers often ignore his warnings, rushing to board and creating opportunities for thieves to take advantage of the situation. Adding that sometimes some of the people board the bus with the intention to steal.
He continued by saying that, most times, the thieves are unexpected individuals because a girl of 14 years was reprimanded inside the bus as a result of a thorough search when the phone was confirmed to be stolen.
As part of measures to tackle the issue, it is expected that the authorities could consider procuring more buses to ensure availability within Maiduguri, the state capital.
Increased security measures, such as implementing CCTV cameras or onboard security personnel. Regular public awareness campaigns on phone security as well as collaboration with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute phone theft cases.
By tackling phone theft and overloading, Governor Zulum’s bus initiative can regain its intended purpose accurately by providing safe and affordable transportation for Borno State residents.
Hauwa Samuel Bah is a 300-level student from the Mass Communication Department at the University of Maiduguri
